Waikato hospital orderlies on one day strike

Seventy-two orderlies at Waikato Hospital plan to strike for 24 hours from midnight over a pay dispute.

The orderlies, who are members of the Unite Union, carried out a four-hour strike on Christmas eve last year after months of wage talks with Waikato District Health Board (DHB) broke down in November.

"The orderlies want a pay rate that reflects their numerous roles which include but are not limited to patient contact, handling the bulk of the hospital's unpleasant duties, and table and bed assembly configuration," Unite organiser Jared Phillips said.

"They also want service-based pay reinstated across the board."

Strike committee coordinator Ross Crook said his co-workers felt they had to take action because of the Government's wage freeze in the public sector.

- NZPA